The painterly style of Gris drew deserving praise back in 2018, but with its new game, Neva, developer Nomada Studios has outdone itself. A larger and more ambitious platformer than the studio's debut, Neva is also breathtakingly beautiful enough to almost leave its predecessor floundering in its wake.
Neva opens to tragedy, protagonist Alba's massive canine companion brought low by forces of decay that leave her caring for a wolf cub. Alba and the cub, Neva, journey together through a world being gradually ravaged, despite her best attempts to undo the damage wrought upon her environment. Trailers show Neva growing as the game – and the decay – continues, but in my hour-long demo they remained a naive and nervous puppy, easily scared or distracted by the world around them.
